Complete fortnightly work reports alongside more extensive half-year and annual reports detailing their work and achievements over the period.

President

40 hours per week.

The President is the figurehead for VUWSA — they are the official spokesperson for the organisation, sit on numerous boards and committees to represent students’ interests, are required to lead the Executive and maintain strong relationships with key university staff and groups on campus, other regional universities, local, regional, and national government representatives, and other key stakeholders.

They are responsible for making sure the Executive is upholding the VUWSA Constitution, and the organisation is transparent and accountable.

Larson Atkins

Kia ora, I’m Larson! Like most people, I moved to Wellington to study at Victoria. I’ve made the most of my time at university; studying chemistry and physics, captaining my football team, volunteering throughout the university, and working in student accommodation for two years. Most importantly, I’m a student just like all of you, and as VUWSA President, I’ll work for a better deal for all of us, and give VUWSA the fresh change it needs and deserves.

A Better Deal in Student Services — Being healthy allows us to get the most out of our education and experiences at Victoria. If you’re a VUW suffering teen, you’ll know that our health services need improvement. Working with first year students at the hostel means I am well-placed to understand these issues. I would like to make health services more accessible to all students, particularly mental health. Through my work in disability services, I also have a firm understanding of where improvements can be made. The bottom line is that students need somewhere they can get the help they need, across all three of our campuses.

A More Sustainable Victoria — Every year there are around 900 tonnes of waste at Victoria, a lot of which could be recycled or composted instead. I aim to work alongside the Sustainability Office to reduce landfill waste, which can be greatly assisted by student involvement through VUWSA with volunteer recruitment. As a science student, I have developed a deep understanding of the best ways to address our environmental impact. I’d love to see no plastic packaging from retailers on campus, and I’m sure you would too.

Health services and sustainability are two of many ideas that form my vision for VUWSA. With your vote, change can be achieved in 2018.

Vote LARSON for President!

Marlon Drake

Tēnā koe! I’m Marlon Drake. This year I’ve been on the VUWSA Executive working hard for students. I’ve provided club services, campaigned for Fairer Fares, and helped boost student voter turnout through our We Have Power election campaign. We have achieved lots already, but our mahi isn’t done! It’s important that someone who understands our community and the university is elected. As president, I will work for:

A Safe Community — VUWSA must be committed to ending sexual violence in our community. This starts from day one. During O-Week, we’ll have a safe room in town so all students have a safe place to go, and we’ll offer free lifts home in the VUWSA van. We will create a student culture that does not tolerate sexual violence.

Healthy Flats — This year, our long-term campaign for a voluntary rental warrant of fitness from the City Council succeeded. It’s a great first step, but we need to continue the fight and make it mandatory. We all deserve healthy homes and it’s time rental standards in Wellington reflect that.

Discounts in Wellington — VUWSA will establish a VUWSA Deals App so VUW students can connect with the great parts of Wellington at a discounted price.

Mental Health Services that Work— It’s vital students can receive help from Student Health when they need it. The system is broken and increasing funding isn’t enough. We need structural change. We will work with Mauri Ora to introduce positions for trained students who can provide online and over the phone help and can provide notes for extensions. This will take pressure off the service so they can focus on providing more support for students.

There’s lots to do, so let’s get started! A vote for me is a vote for a VUWSA we can be proud of.

Academic Vice-President

20 hours per week.

The AVP heads VUWSA’s Education Team, which is responsible for the class rep system, and making sure students are represented at all levels of the university, to ensure there are quality resources, lecturers, and programmes available to all students. The AVP works with the Education Officer and Student Representation Coordinator (a full-time staff position) to sit on all academic-related boards and committees and help coordinate feedback for course reviews, while also driving strategic, long-term goals around making sure VUW is providing quality and inclusive education for all students.

Hassan Tariq

In my role as Academic Vice-President, I will work closely with the Education Officer and the Student Representation Coordinator to ensure that there is student representation and voice at all levels of the university.

This is a very interesting role and as a PhD student I have plenty of experience working in these kind of roles — I believe I can help with engaging students into long-term and sustainable academic activities. My preference will be ensuring the quality of education provided to compete in national and international arenas. This will include the provision of necessary research and training opportunities to all students. This will also ensure the promotion of equal and justified teaching and assessment standards for all students regardless of their sex, age, colour, or religion.

I will emphasise facilitating cheaper bus fares for students, subsidised accommodation, and health facilities. I will also emphasise generating more scholarships and financial aids for students.

Simran Rughani

Kia ora! I’m Simran and I’m in my second-year, studying a BSc/BCom. I have been involved with VUWSA as a class representative and I’m currently on the Student Academic Committee. I have loved these roles and wish to continue by running for Academic Vice-President.

As your AVP, I will be:

Committed to an equitable, representative, strong student voice — Increasing the scope of the Student Academic Committee and having a diverse range of student perspectives.

Dedicated to fostering student partnership with the university — Ensuring the student voice is equal to the academic, and making sure we are consulted on decisions that matter.

Increasing transparency of decisions being made that affect us — Too many students are unaware of decisions occurring that directly impact them. As those being affected, we should be able to question decisions and voice our opinions. I will ensure that this is possible by increasing the transparency and accessibility of these decisions.

Promising to generate an investigation into why we pay so much for printing — Submitting assignments is stressful enough without also worrying about printing costs. I will lead an investigation into the cost of printing and work to lower the price.

Vote Simran for AVP!

Welfare Vice-President

20 hours per week.

The WVP heads the VUWSA Welfare Team, focusing on the health and wellbeing of students, sustainability, and the environment (both natural and academic) at university. They lead major events on campus including Free Flu Shots and Stress Free Study Week. They work towards strategic goals around improving the financial, physical, environmental, and mental wellbeing of students at Victoria (including projects like free menstrual products and the VUWSA fruit and vege market).

Beth Paterson

Tēnā koe! Ko Beth tōku ingoa. I would like to be your Welfare VP! I’ve been on VUWSA as your Wellbeing and Sustainability Officer for the past year, loved it, and I’m really excited to be running for Welfare VP!

I know the role and the welfare advocacy that is required:

We need to make mental health services accessible and affordable — I have three solutions here:

The Kelburn pharmacy has committed to matching a VUW discount on prescription medication; I would work with them to make $2 prescriptions a reality.

Work with Mauri Ora to train members of our community to support students through academic stress.

Push for a “wellbeing tick” to be put on the online profiles of staff who have completed mental health training.

We need to make Thursdays in Black a priority — I would push for VUW to get better policies that support survivors of sexual violence, and aim to teach consent in halls of residence before O-Week.

We need flats that we can live in without getting sick — I would campaign to get a compulsory rental warrant of fitness on the political agenda for students.

Please hit me up for questions or yarns!

Summer Wick-Featonby

Hi! My name is Summer, and I’m a third-year student majoring in political science, history, and english literature.

Having made extensive use of the many facilities Victoria offers in terms of student welfare since I began studying in 2015, I believe I am a suitable candidate to represent you as students at VUWSA. I am open about having accessed these facilities including Student Health on many an occasion (the perils of living in a damp student flat, amirite?), Student Financial Services, and Student Counselling Services. While we are lucky as students to have these facilities on offer and accessible to us, I am looking to improve access as much as possible.

I believe that financial security, and sufficient mental and physical health, is absolutely vital in order for students to succeed academically and have an enjoyable experience during their time at university. In particular, I want to be a voice for minority groups and the disadvantaged on campus, and work to improve services already on offer, while also taking into account further suggestions of other beneficial services Victoria could offer.

If elected, I will work hard to ensure that the Victoria community and experience is a fair one.

Engagement Vice-President

20 hours per week.

The EVP is the executive member focused on getting students involved with VUWSA and wider projects or events aimed at the student population. Their key role is helping out with O-Week, Re-O-Week, Artsweek, the VUWSA and university awards season, the IGM and AGM, and much more. Their role is about creating a strong and vibrant student community and making sure students are aware of all the important, and fun, things that go on at VUW.

Tamatha Paul

Kia ora e hoa mā! I’m Tamatha. Over the past two years I’ve worked closely with VUWSA and the national student association (NZUSA) on projects for students that I really care about. Spending this year on the VUWSA Executive has equipped me with the practical tools to pursue those projects, and I’d really love to continue that mahi into 2018 as your Engagement Vice-President.

I think after this year’s general election we’re all a bit sick of campaigns so I’ll keep it simple; vote for experience. Every VUWSA event, I’ve done it.

That means I can see where improvement is needed and where opportunities for bigger, better events lie. A major necessary improvement — safety. Particularly around making sure that safe rooms at VUWSA events are regulated through policy, and addressing sexual violence through research from the Thursdays in Black campaign.

In terms of student experience, how can we make our services more accessible? Let’s not just get students engaged during O-Week and Re-O-Week — all year we’ve got free food parcels via community pantry, free bus passes, advocacy services, free menstrual products, student reps, and other academic services. Let’s get students interested in VUWSA again — after all we do this for you!

Sarah Auld

Tēnā koutou, I’m Sarah!

Vote for me and I will:

Bring more pop-up stalls in to campuses connecting community services (like Rebicycle) to students.

FOSTERED COMMUNITY among Philosophy and PSIR undergrads and postgrads.

Through my diverse volunteer experiences, I have developed the skills to be an effective Engagement Vice-President. Now I want to deliver great experiences to students.

Vote for an Engagement VP with resilience, a community spirit, and experience in active participation. Vote for someone who will listen and act on the needs of all students.

Vote for Sarah AULD.

Treasurer-Secretary

10 hours per week.

This officer’s key role is working with staff members and the President to develop the annual VUWSA budget. They are involved with any updates or changes to the Constitution or other working documents within the organisation, and oversees the Executive Reporting. They sit on the VUWSA Trust board and chair the Audit and Finance, Executive Reporting, and Publications Committees.

Brittany Neal

A bit about me: I moved to Wellington at the end of last year, after spending two years at the University of Canterbury. I’m in my third year of a BA/BCom, majoring in Māori Studies, Management, and Human Resources.

VUWSA’s mission to represent students, and to advocate for quality education, experience, community, and facilities for students, resonates within me — particularly the work that VUWSA has done to advocate for student allowances, loans, and living conditions. To me, the Treasurer-Secretary role sits at the heart of everything VUWSA does. This advocacy and mahi that VUWSA does cannot be facilitated without the funding to do so.

As your Treasurer-Secretary, I would be looking to diversify VUWSA’s income streams, and to have a sustainable revenue base that provides us all with the opportunities to work towards our goals as a collective and continue the ever-important work VUWSA does.

Jack Donovan

Hey ya’ll, I’m Jack and this is why you should vote for me. I’m in my second year through a BCom, majoring in finance and accounting, with a minor in commercial law. I’m extremely passionate about my degree, and the skills I have learnt through it have equipped me to be perfect for this role. Major aspects of this position are around my fields, such as developing the budget, chairing the Audit and Finance Committees, and giving financial advice to all clubs as well as this executive.

I also have plenty of experience being on an executive. This year I was the General Executive Officer for the VUW Politics Students’ Society, as well as being the Secretary for the TEDxVUW club. Being on both of these teams gave me valuable experiences, such as interviewing the Green Party (then) co-leaders, as well as moderating an electorate debate. It also gave me experience in administrative parts of this role, such as taking minutes, organising events, and more.

I’ve quickly run out of words, but feel free to contact me online about anything, or if you just see me around. I hope for your votes, because you can a-ccount on me!

Finn O’Connor

My name is Finn O’Connor. I’m running for the Treasury-Secretary role at VUWSA. I’m currently a second-year student, doing a Law and Arts degree. I live with two other guys in Mount Cook, having been a resident at Weir House last year. I enjoy playing hockey and have been a member of the Victoria University team for two years.

There were a number of reasons that lead to me wanting to apply for this role. I take satisfaction from applying myself to a role successfully and efficiently. I would love to expand my leadership skills and add a different perspective to some pertinent issues and events that VUWSA are involved in.

In analysing and developing the annual budget, I want to make sure that every student is treated fairly and equally, giving everyone the chance to perform to the best of their abilities. As being a student is all about balance, it is important to me that VUWSA acts in the same manner. I would like to provide members and students the platform to reach their academic potential while still enjoying themselves and forming life-long memories. I will work to make sure that VUWSA is an association we can all be proud of.

Education Officer

10 hours per week.

This role works with the Academic Vice-President to oversee the class Rep System and academic boards and committees on campus. They play a key role in maintaining the relationship between VUWSA and academic groups on campus, gathering feedback and supporting initiatives to improve academic quality and representation at Victoria.

Mattias Tolhurst

I’m a third-year student at Victoria University. I study a conjoint of Biomedical Science and Science and I’m incredibly passionate about education; I’ve worked as a tutor and currently work at an education company for 10–15 hours a week, which prepares me for the workload required of the Education Officer.

My main hobbies and interests include skateboarding, reading, and programming when I find the time! I was originally studying software engineering but after realising that it wasn’t my true passion I decided to pursue health instead.

I’m mainly excited about the role of Education Officer because an incredible amount of work has been done by VUWSA to make this institution better; my campaign this year is all to do with having equitable student representation in the decisions that impact us as students. It’s also about increasing the quality of our education, providing clear incentives for lecturers to improve as educators, making sure lectures are recorded to increase access, working closely with groups like Te Pūtahi Atawhai and Te Rōpū Āwhina as well as increasing awareness of the incredible support services at Victoria that many students are unaware of.

Sarah Yzendoorn

Do you want:

48 hour “free pass” extensions in ALL schools?

Video recordings of ALL lectures?

Consistent extensions, marking, and penalties guidelines for ALL faculties?

We deserve UNI-WIDE CONSISTENCY. Students are not just stakeholders, we are PARTNERS in our education.

As a current Class Rep, Faculty Delegate, and student representative on FHSS’ Teaching, Learning and Equity Committee, I already work very closely with the current Academic Vice-President and Education Officer. I want to go beyond this, to continue to deliver students the best and nothing less.

Students are the heart of tertiary education; we deserve the best education and nothing less. Whatever it takes to ensure the student experience is always positively contributed to, I am 100% committed to doing it.

If there are strengths, I WILL build on them.

If there are weaknesses, I WILL improve them.

If there is an issue, I WILL solve it.

Every student deserves equal opportunity. No matter who you are, where you are from, or what you are studying, you deserve to have the world as your oyster.

Whatever it takes, I will do it.

Vote SARAH YZENDOORN for EDUCATION OFFICER. #YeezyforEduOfficer

Wellbeing and Sustainability Officer

10 hours per week.

This officer works within the VUWSA Welfare Team to support all work related to improving the financial, physical, environmental, and mental wellbeing of students on campus. They work closely with the WVP to deliver events such as Free Flu Shots and Stress Free Study Week and with the Campaigns Officer to support wider community initiatives around healthier homes and lifestyles for students, and sustainability initiatives such as improving accessibility to public transport.

Eleanor Hughes

I’m fourth-year Law and Arts (shout out anth and IR, yeaa boiiiiii). I love a bit of a boogie, climbing Mt Kaukau, and getting amongst equality of access issues in our backyard.

Experience wise — I have been volunteering in the disability sector with IHC for a year now, as well as working to help out WellAble Kapiti through Ignite Consulting. I currently work at Wesley Community Action, having raised over $35,000 for them and their projects since February 2017. Safe to say, I know how not-for-profits (like VUWSA!) work, and how to make them benefit us best!

As Wellbeing and Sustainability Officer, I intend to focus on our financial wellbeing, our mental health, and our passive participation in environmentally harmful practices. Solutions like timebanks, education in first year on coping and adjusting to university life, and clothing bins on campus to prevent waste and give back to our local community, are just some of my ideas.

Like the sound of some of that? Chuck your vote my way.

Summer Wick-Featonby

(Blurb in Welfare Vice-President section.)

Equity Officer

10 hours per week.

The Equity Officer works to ensure all students have equal access to services, support, academic success, and participation opportunities at VUW. They work with representative groups on campus like UniQ, Ngāi Tauira, Pasifika Students’ Council, VicUFO, and international students, and work to make sure students’ welfare is an important consideration in all decisions made at the university level.

Paddy Miller

Kia ora, my name is Paddy, and I’m ready to be your next Equity Officer!

I’m in my fourth year of Law/Pol conjoint. As a member of Wellington Community Justice Project, I recently worked on a select committee submission supporting law changes to provide practical assistance to domestic violence victims. I have experience mentoring students from a range of backgrounds, and I frequently fundraise for Wellington Rape Crisis, the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation, and the SPCA. I have built strong relationships in these roles.

If elected, I will propel Victoria’s diverse range of representative groups into the spotlight. These groups all have a unique and important message to share. I will work alongside them to promote strong campaigns that strike a chord with students on campus.

I will actively promote the Thursdays in Black movement, aiming to eliminate rape and violence in the student community. Groups particularly at risk of sexual violence are Māori and Pasifika people, transgender people, and those with disabilities. ALL students deserve to feel safe.

I want to create a safe and equitable environment at Victoria University, so vote for Paddy so we can make this happen!

Summer Wick-Featonby

(Blurb in Welfare Vice-President section.)

Clubs and Activities Officer

10 hours per week.

This role is part of VUWSA’s Engagement Team and works closely with Clubs and Societies on campus. They serve on the Clubs Council and work with the university’s club management team to make sure student clubs and communities are well supported.

Connor Macleod

Kia ora koutou!

Ko Connor ahau, a fourth-year BA/BCom student, President of Victoria University Rowing Club, and executive member of VicCom, and I want to be your Clubs and Activities Officer for 2018!

During my time at Victoria, I have developed an appreciation and respect for all the hard work that clubs put in to provide amazing services for their members. One thing that has become increasingly evident, however, is that club culture at Vic is isolated. Clubs are toiling independently to enrich the student experience, but I believe that through improving the way that clubs share knowledge, facilities, and members, the clubs community can cement its vital role within students’ lives.

By shifting the responsibility for club support back to VUWSA, we can develop a joint vision for all clubs at Victoria. This will create a cooperative environment for clubs and ensure that students and their societies are working for the productive benefit of each other.

I believe that clubs at Victoria enrich students’ lives, and through returning clubs to VUWSA we can work together to develop a joint vision for clubs within the university.

Vote Connor MacLeod for Clubs and Activities Officer — working together with clubs.

Lars Thompson

Kia Ora! My name is Lars and my mission is to make VUWSA’s club support services unmatched in Aotearoa.

I’m a fourth-year law student, I’ve been President of the Politics Society, and the first elected Editor of club media platform Rostra! I also sit on the Clubs Council, which has revealed how urgently we need more accessible structures to aid and connect our club community.

Vote me Clubs and Activities Officer for:

A Participatory Model of Club Representation — As leader of the Clubs Council Review Group, I’ve spent 2017 drafting a new and inclusive representation system. It introduces a forum for clubs to raise concerns and vote on what action to take, which can include opportunities to solve shared issues through inter-club working groups!

Targeted Support to Avoid Burnout — Addressing mental health is paramount. I’ll ensure Club and Rep Group Manuals include advice and contact information that’s useful for avoiding burnout, as well as celebrating clubs volunteer efforts at the Blues and Supreme Club Awards.

An Activity Team to Provide Helping Hands — You can request this team for extra support holding events! A great way to encourage volunteer culture at Vic while helping small and growing clubs! Many hands make light work!

Campaigns Officer

10 hours per week.

This varied role involves both running campaigns within the university and lobbying for change at the local and national government level. This officer coordinates teams of volunteers and delivers successful campaigns with the sole focus of getting a better deal for students at the university and while they’re living in Wellington.

Geo Robrigado

Kia ora and Mabuhay! I am Geo, originally from Laguna, Philippines, and I have been living in Wellington for the past four years.

While I am only in the first year of my LLB/BA degree, my experiences in student representation and campaigns date back to 2005 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, where I was an officer of the University Student Council and a member of a youth political group. In both stints I have managed and led campaigns on student and youth issues, particularly on student rights and welfare.

It is that experience that inspired me to bring my activism to New Zealand and VUW. As campaigns officer, I will continue to champion student rights and welfare, working with pertinent sectors within VUWSA and the university to achieve such goals. I will continue to promote campaigns such as Fairer Fares, as well as other campaigns to ensure that each student of VUW gets the best education experience they rightfully deserve.

As an immigrant, VUW and VUWSA gave me a wonderful community to grow and thrive. Serving my fellow students is the best way for me to give back to this community.

Felix Griffin

How much better will VUWSA look when we have someone whose skills have been recognised by world leaders? Recognised in his efforts in bringing us a TEDx Talks conference and amazing speakers — Griffin knows how to campaign. This is what Palmer, New Zealand’s 33rd Prime Minister, has to say about Griffin: “Felix, I have been impressed with your verve and enthusiasm in organising the TEDx Talks… Further, the efficiency of your organisation has been excellent.” It’s time to leave the uni leagues behind and go with someone the professionals endorse.

]]>http://salient.org.nz/2017/10/2018-vuwsa-candidates/feed/0VUWSAhttp://salient.org.nz/2017/08/vuwsa-17/
http://salient.org.nz/2017/08/vuwsa-17/#commentsSun, 13 Aug 2017 21:00:28 +0000http://salient.org.nz/?p=48013Remember Fairer Fares? People have been approaching us lately asking, “what happened with that?” Admittedly after months, years even, of campaigning to get over 1700 submissions in support of Fairer Fares to the regional council in May this year, things have been a bit quiet. That’s because we were waiting for the Greater Wellington Regional Council to process all of the submissions and to release their subsequent draft long term plan.

But this draft long term plan has finally been released and we have some massive news — a 25% off Snapper fare for all tertiary students in Wellington is included in the draft plan! This is the first time the council has included any kind of tertiary discount in fare review plans and it’s a massive win for us.

This success is thanks to the hard mahi of years of VUWSA executives, leaders from Ngāi Tauira and the Pasifika Students’ Council, student volunteers, and all the other supporters within the university and wider community. Together, we have shown what students can achieve when they come together. If we manage to get this change passed, it will be one of VUWSA’s biggest successes in making life more affordable for all Wellington students.

So where to from here? On August 14, the draft plan will go out for consultation, and we will send a clear message that the 25% discount for tertiary students needs to remain in the plan. Keep an eye out for how you can get involved in this over the coming days.

Although the most important commitment is to the fare discount itself, the devil is in the detail. Much of this detail is yet to be worked out, but it will have a big impact on how good the discount actually ends up being for you. It includes things such as whether only full time students will qualify, whether there is a different coloured Snapper or “tertiary” Snapper card, and what you actually have to do to get the card.

Students in Auckland find their system pretty difficult and cumbersome, and it’s essential that we, and the council, take this opportunity to think about how to make any new discount fare easy to access for all students, for example, looking at whether we can have a student fare Snapper card built into the student IDs we get when we enrol. There are also issues to think about past the introduction of a bus student fare in terms of creating equal access for students on other public transport, like a Snapper card system on trains. Until that happens, the student fare won’t be available for train users, so the more pressure we put on the council to get this stuff to happen, and soon, the better.

Finally, it is important to note that the proposed transport changes do not include wins for everyone. There are a few groups who are not set to benefit from the changes, including our much valued bus drivers, who are facing significant threats to their jobs and pay. VUWSA 100% stands behind our bus drivers and publicly supports their campaign for fairer treatment, which you can get behind here: http://www.together.org.nz/thankyou-driver

On the topic of campaigns and young people’s power to create change, VUWSA is excited to be a part of the We Have Power campaign to get 100% of students in Aotearoa voting this election. We will be working with more than 15 other students’ associations and student groups around Aotearoa to mobilise hundreds of volunteers to make this goal happen and to put student issues on the political agenda this election. Check out www.wehavepower.org.nz!

In service,

Your Campaigns Officer and President, Raven and Rory

]]>http://salient.org.nz/2017/08/vuwsa-17/feed/0Meet your VUWSA Executivehttp://salient.org.nz/2017/03/meet-your-vuwsa-executive/
http://salient.org.nz/2017/03/meet-your-vuwsa-executive/#commentsSun, 12 Mar 2017 20:00:26 +0000http://salient.org.nz/?p=45726So you’ve made it through O-Week and hopefully caught up on a week’s worth of sleep. But now you may be wondering, what was that VUWSA thing everyone kept talking about?

What is that beautiful green logo I keep seeing round the place? And who is the moustachioed man who keeps talking to me about getting involved on campus?

While Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association does put on O-Week and gives you free stationery and noodles to kick-start your university year, it also has a dedicated team who have some big plans to make this year a great year for students. Here’s a chance to get acquainted with your student executive:

Rory Lenihan-Ikin — VUWSA President

I’ve been with VUWSA for the past three years, but this year I get the privilege of being your student president. VUWSA exists solely to represent the student voice at the university, in politics, and in the local community. Our mission is to get the best deal for students, in everything we do. But we can’t do that without knowing what you, as students, need to make your years at university some of the best years of your life. We want to hear from you, work with you, and make sure VUWSA is doing all it can to serve you during your time here at Victoria.

Isabella Lenihan-Ikin — Academic Vice-President

My role is to ensure that there is student representation and voice at all levels of the university. This year, I want to broaden the scope of the education portfolio and establish free, short, and engaging courses for students, like beginner te reo Māori courses.

Anya Maule — Welfare Vice-President

My main role is to make sure students have access to welfare services like the community pantry, the on-campus fruit and vegetable market, free flu shots, and Stress Free Study Week — which involves cute animals and food and drinks to ease your study jitters. This year I’m also looking forward to working with the Equity Officer on creating a VUWSA representative group handbook.

Nathaniel Manning — Engagement Vice-President

This year one of my main roles will be getting students involved in September’s general election. I’ll be leading our campaign, bringing politicians on campus, collecting enrolments, and, obviously, encouraging everyone to get out and vote.

Tom Rackley — Acting Treasurer-Secretary

In essence, I’m the money man. I handle the internal committees and act as a budget liaison for the executive. I am super excited for the year ahead; I can’t wait to see what we achieve.

Marlon Drake — Clubs and Activities Officer

I look after clubs here at the university. It’s so important to have a campus filled with opportunities for students to participate, meet new people, and have fun. This year I’m keen to make it easier to get involved with clubs, and with your community.

Raven Maeder — Campaigns Officer

I’m passionate about standing up for people and our environment, and I want to contribute to the movement for a fairer, more sustainable world. This year my main goal is to help VUWSA run a strong general election campaign, contribute to high student voting numbers, and put student issues on the political agenda.

Bethany Paterson — Wellbeing and Sustainability Officer

Do you want to be happy, healthy, and able to decipher what is recycling and what is general trash? That’s where I come in. My role is to work with our Welfare Vice-President to make sure students live well, in a less stressful and less wasteful environment.

Tamatha Paul — Equity Officer

I want to do as much as I can to strengthen and maintain VUWSA’s relationships with the other representative groups on campus including UniQ (the queer representative group), Ngāi Tauira (our Māori representative group), and V-ISA (our international students’ group). I want to bring all the different student bodies on campus together to contribute to an inclusive, engaging, and holistic student experience for everyone.

Lauren Daroux Greig — Education Officer

As your Education Officer, I will act as a voice for students in all things related to academia. My job is to work with our Academic Vice-President to make sure your courses are giving you the right tools for graduating with a degree you can use. I’ll be helping out with writing submissions to the VUW Academic Board and Academic Committee highlighting student issues. I’ll also be helping with class representative training.

Always have perspective and never lose your cool. Things often don’t go according to plan. Remember that it is usually not the end of the world, no matter how much it feels like it is in the moment. Often when something goes wrong or if you’re feeling stressed, it’s very hard to stop thinking about it. Never underestimate the power of just stepping away from the problem for an hour by doing something you enjoy (i.e. going for a run, watching Netflix). Then come back to it with a clearer mind. Perspective is everything!

Describe your favourite pair of socks:

My favourites are the ones that are talking points in meetings, or those that get lots of likes on Facebook. There’s a sock war going on at the VUWSA office at the moment and I am determined to win!

Rory Lenihan-Ikin—Welfare Vice President

How can students avoid going hungry?

Our Community Pantry service has free food parcels available if your cupboards are looking bare, and we give away free bread every Friday morning at the Kelburn reception. For cheap fruit and veges, the VUWSA market runs on Wednesdays from 10.00am–6.00pm in the Tim Beaglehole courtyard (outside the hub). The Free Store serves free food every weeknight at 6.00pm, and The Soup Kitchen serves free breakfast and dinner six days a week.

What needs to be done to improve student welfare?

HEAPS—here’s a few things:

A universal student allowance would mean less time working and a guarantee to pay for the basics while studying. A rental warrant-of-fitness for all flats would mean we wouldn’t have to put up with cold and mould. We need free, or discounted public transport, throughout the city—high school students get it, why not us? We need more support and prevention around issues that often go unnoticed: sexual violence, suicide and mental health, and accessibility for disabled students, among many others.

Jacinta Gulasekharam—Academic Vice President

Your job involves constantly going to meetings, how do you do it?

I drink good coffee. Also, feeling confident that you know the right questions to ask at the right time. Knowing what I say counts and makes a real difference, like when VUWSA stopped the university taking away a week of trimester two holidays. It’s not how, it’s why that keeps me going. That I’m here for students because VUWSA cares.

What’s your favourite nightclub?

That’s tricky! I’m loyal to Boogie having worked there last summer. However, at third year I’d say Dirty Little Secret rooftop bar.

Nathaniel Manning—Engagement Vice President

What’s the best event you’ve attended while at university?

By the time this goes to print, I will have attended G-Eazy, so I’m going to lock in G-Eazy. I’m writing this at 1.00am after the Toga Party, so I’m gonna go with the Toga Party (despite smelling of stale sweat and other people’s vomit). Jupiter Project and Sweet Mix Kids smashed it—so much better than the Toga Party I half attended in first year before stumbling to Hope Bros.

How much fun is too much fun?

There’s no such thing as too much fun! Anyone who says so either has FOMO, or is better at attending their lectures than me.

George Grainger—Treasurer/Secretary

How do you stay awake in meetings, such as ‘the Audit and Finance Committee’ meeting?

Deeply held smouldering passion. It might make me the most boring person alive, other than a meninist, but my personal taste for responsible fiscal management, balanced budgets, and transparent reporting sustains me.

How are VUWSA’s finances looking? (It’s just between you and all Salient readers)

There’s organisations that enjoy prosperity, and then there’s VUWSA. We’re keeping our head above water and providing the services students need and deserve. But the reality is everything costs money and we don’t have enough to keep serving an ever-growing student population unless we get more money coming in.

Alice Lyall—Campaigns Officer

What is a campaign? It sounds fun.

It is fun! A campaign is how you get a message across. The best campaigns are creative and original. I have a worryingly large collection of costumes I have worn to campaigns. Last general election I wandered around campus dressed as an elephant (yes, that was the highlight of my first year).

Why should students care about the local body election campaign?

The local body election is a way to get student voices’ heard. It’s an opportunity to make progress on issues like housing and public transport. It only happens once every three years and I’m excited to work on it.

Tori Sellwood—Clubs and Activities Officer

Why should students join a club?

Clubs are one of the best ways to meet like-minded people, make life-long friends, and get a glimpse of life outside of lectures. Vic has a crazy amount of clubs (over 135!), so there is an awesome community and something for everyone!

What is a Faculty Students’ Association, how many are there?

Faculty Students’ Associations are student-led representative groups for their corresponding faculties. There are four well-established Faculty Students’ Associations: STUDiO (Architecture and Design), VUWLSS (Law), VicCom (Commerce), and The Science Society. I highly recommend joining your Faculty Students’ Association, they offer great services that are tailored to what you study!

Anya Maule—Wellbeing and Sustainability Officer

What is the Victoria food co-op?

It was started by Gecko, the Vic environmental group. Dried food is bulk ordered, and then we have ‘pack-outs’ where members come along, weigh up products they want, and pay online afterwards. The idea is to provide access to affordable organic food (and Ecostore products) on campus. Members are encouraged to bring their own bags and containers, to reduce waste.

What can students do to be more eco-friendly?

Bring a KeepCup to uni for your caffeine fix (VicBooks and Louis’ do a discount for this), walk or cycle where possible instead of catching the bus (you’ll save money and get fit), and hang out your washing instead of using the dryer.

Annaliese Wilson—Education Officer

What the heck is a faculty delegate?

Faculty delegates are the next step above class reps. They are student representatives on the governing body of their respective faculty, i.e. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. They help make decisions that affect teaching and learning, research, and the student experience. They ensure that students have a strong voice when decisions are being made. They report back to VUWSA so that key decisions are carried into university-wide committees and boards such as the Academic Board and University Council.

What advice do you have to people who are tutors for the first time?

Tutoring is a great part of the student experience at Victoria, it’s awesome that people are willing to do this. As a tutor you will be supported by the university, they provide a number of courses and workshops for first-time tutors. Also, make sure you’re approachable and create a dialogue with the students. It will make it more enjoyable for you and students.

Chrissy Brown—Equity Officer

What is Thursdays in Black?

A nationwide student campaign lead by Tertiary Women NZ to raise awareness of sexual violence by wearing black on Thursdays! The campaign was popular during the 90s (led by Jan Logie when she was Women’s Rights Officer of NZUSA) and this year we’re back in black—bringing it back! Thursdays in Black is a movement towards changing the rape culture that exists within life at university—we need to make sure universities care about our safety, and provide adequate services to help survivors. We need more research, and better education, about how we can prevent rape and violence in our communities.

Who’s better: Kim, Khloe, Kendall, or Kylie?

Kim. I’m sorry. I love Kim forever and always.

]]>http://salient.org.nz/2016/02/what-do-the-vuwsa-exec-do/feed/0VUWSA Services Guidehttp://salient.org.nz/2016/02/vuwsa-services-guide/
http://salient.org.nz/2016/02/vuwsa-services-guide/#commentsSun, 21 Feb 2016 02:03:49 +0000http://salient.org.nz/?p=42468Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) exists to make sure students have an awesome experience while studying at Victoria. We’re independent from the university and free to join, and since we’re student-led, student-ideas shape everything we do.

A student executive who makes sure you’re heard

Our executive consists of ten elected students who are responsible for the strategic direction and governance of VUWSA. Our executive, together with VUWSA staff, and over 1,400 class representatives and faculty delegates, are committed to making sure student voices and opinions are heard.

Supporting student-welfare and well-being

We have welfare services to help students in need. You can visit our reception to pick up free Community Pantry food parcels, free inter-campus bus passes, or some free bread.

Our welfare services are available to help you, when and if you need it.

Usual weekly term-schedule:

Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm—pick up a free Community Pantry food parcel or a free inter-campus bus pass.

Monday from 9am—pop by VUWSA for some home-made baking provided by Good Bitches Baking in partnership with Kaibosh.

We offer free independent, confidential advocacy support for students. Our advocacy support can help with academic issues, accommodation problems, employment and legal disputes.

Communicating your student-voice

We produce Salient, the weekly student magazine of Victoria University. A new issue of Salient is available free on campus each Monday during term. Funded by students through the Student Services Levy (SSL).

Our weekly Vege Market for fresh thinking

We run a Fruit and Vege Market every Wednesday from 2pm to 6pm during the trimester. This Market helps students’ money go further, and provides affordable and accessible healthy-food options.

Events to keep you meeting people

University isn’t just about passing courses and gaining degrees. It’s also about meeting new people, pursuing passions, and experiencing new things. We put on great events throughout the year for our students, such as O-WEEK, Re-O-WEEK, and Stress-Free Study Week.

Locker hire

All students can hire lockers which provide excellent storage and security for personal items on Campus. Contact us for more information.

Lost property

We’re the University’s lost property hub. If you’ve lost something pop by our office and find out if it’s with us. If you find an item around campus, be a good sort and drop it into our office at Level 4, Student Union Building, Kelburn.

Bus passes

We work in partnership with the university to provide free inter-campus bus passes to students (aka ‘Free Bus Pass Initiative’). If you have classes at different campuses on the same day, you’re eligible for free travel costs. Pop by our office, and if you’re eligible we’ll load bus trips on your Snapper card. Easy!

Van hire

Need a people mover? We have a twelve-seater van available for VUWSA-affiliated representative groups and Victoria University clubs to hire. Go to our website for more information, or pop by our office.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of what we do!

We’re free to join

When you join as a member, you support us to secure better outcomes for you. We’re your students’ association. We do everything we can to make your experience better.

We were set up by students right after the university opened its doors for lectures—way back in 1899. Our founders knew that students were the best people to represent students; and to ensure the university delivered the quality of education, experience, community, and facilities that students needed.

The initial philosophy of students helping students holds true today. Tried, tested and true—we’ve been operating on this philosophy for years. It hasn’t failed us yet, and we’ve helped to improve thousands of students’ experiences while at Victoria.

Our Constitutional goals underline what we do

Democratic, representative, transparent, accountable and inclusive; the decisions we make are in line with our constitutional goals:

Goal 1 – Education quality: To ensure the university provides the best teaching and learning, research opportunities, assessment and training to students.

Goal 2 – Student support: To advocate for adequate financial support, income and welfare for students in order to improve barriers to education.

Goal 3 – Equity and access: To promote equity for disadvantaged students around access to and within the university.

Goal 4 – Services: To provide quality, cost effective services for the benefit of members, and where appropriate, students.

Goal 5 – Activities: To support sporting, social and cultural activities for and by members and students, particularly through clubs.

Goal 6 – Public issues: To be the critic and conscience of the university and society, by promoting discussion and action on issues concerning students.

Goal 7 – Finance: To maximise the member benefits by minimising fees or user charges through internal efficiency and non-member revenue.

Goal 9 – Sustainability: To recognise the needs of current and future generations by promoting sustainable lifestyles and actions to members while ensuring the sustainable operation of the association and university members.

We’re free to join. As a member, you have the ultimate governing role over VUWSA—it is students who have the power to say what we should be doing and in what direction we should be going. You’re an integral part of this Association—so get involved.

You’re free to contact our executive about anything to do with the university, VUWSA, or students in Wellington generally!